4 Day Mount Gambier

Spend four days touring in and around Mount Gambier home of the world famous Blue Lake. See the Blue Lake in a crater of an extinct volcano, the Naracoorte and Engelbrecht Caves and enjoy a scenic train trip on the Limestone Coast Railway.

Day One

We depart Adelaide at 9:00 am for Mount Gambier, travelling via the South Eastern Freeway to Murray Bridge, then on to the Princess Highway.

We travel along the Coorong wetlands area, an inland sea of shallow lagoons where the River Murray meets the sea, to Kingston South East. At Kingston visit the Analemmetic Sun Dial, which is one of only eight in the world.

After lunch we continue to Mount Gambier, visiting the South Eastern towns of Robe, Beachport, Millicent and Tantanoola, where we visit the Tantanoola Caves (at your own expense).

We stay at the historic Mount Gambier Gaol overnight.

Day Two

We depart Mount Gambier Gaol at approximately 9:00 am for a day of sightseeing in and around Mount Gambier. Take part in the Blue Lake Aquifer tour, visit Valley Lake, and climb the Centenary Tower for great views of the city, lakes and surrounding country side.

We then visit Umpherston Sinkhole, Cave Gardens and Mount Schank, an extinct volcano.

We stay at the Mount Gambier Gaol again overnight.

Day Three

There are two tour options available on this day:

Option One

We depart Mount Gambier Gaol at approximately 9:00 am for the Mount Gambier Railway Station. We board the classic 1959 Limestone Coast Railway train for a relaxing journey through pine forests, prime farm country, magnificent Red Gums that are home to some unique Australian bird life, and the area's premium wine growing region; the Coonawarra.

We stop for lunch at Penola (at your own expense) followed by sightseeing in Penola. Visit many heritage buildings and interesting shops before boarding train for return journey to Mount Gambier.

Option Two

Tour to Mount Schank, an extinct volcano. Enjoy an easy walk to the edge of this dry volcanic crater for views of sheer wonder. For the more energetic an optional climb into the crater itself is available. This is followed by visit to the Little Blue Lake, Allendale East Sinkhole, Dingley Dell (a restored cottage housing the personal effects of the Australian Poet Adam Lindsey Gordon), Port MacDonnell to see the Petrified Forest, where the Southern Ocean once used to be.
After lunch travel along the coastline to Ewin Ponds and Piccannie Ponds. The next stop is Nelson for a cruise on the Glenelg river. Explore this premium waterway of high limestone cliff gorges in comfort cruising to the spectacular Princess Margaret Cave at your own expense.

We stay at the Mount Gambier Gaol overnight.

Day Four

We depart at approximately 9:00 am for the return journey to Adelaide, travelling via the Coonawarra wine region. We can sample local wines and visit the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage area, and Bool Lagoon wetlands area.

We then follow the Dukes Highway to Murray Bridge and continue on to Adelaide via the South Eastern Freeway, arriving at 6:00 pm.